Another turn around the backyard

When I came home from work on Sunday, Maddy was outside working in the yard.  She had recently cut down the artichoke plant from the front yard and I was intrigued by it's stem.

So many lines!

Artichoke seeds!  The fluff that holds the seed is really interesting.  I love seeing them float around the yard. 

These dried artichoke flowers look really cool. They would be fun in a fall display.  

I love the tail on this plant.  It was hard to get a good picture because it was waving in the wind. 

These salvias are so pretty.  I like how Madison put the colors together in one pot.

Of course, I love the purple flowers on this one!

The stripe-y leaves on this pregnant onion plant...cool!

A milkweed releasing some seeds.  

These little red puff balls are so cute!  

I love the variegation on this plant.

Just some interesting sights.  I'm in love with these birds that I painted.

This is what the bird looked like before.  Got 3 of them on clearance at Hobby Lobby. 

I always have to be careful when I'm walking by this guy...

All the plants in this section have some cool red feature on them.  

I found a little penguin hiding in here.

A better look at all the green and red contrast here.

One of my favorite views is through these. They kind of look like firework bursts to me.

Popcorn plant...Cassia.  If you rub the leaves it smells like buttered popcorn!  The best part about this plant is that is hosts the Cloudless Sulpher butterfly.

Here are a few of the caterpillars that will be Cloudless Sulpher butterflies.  The butterflies flutter around so pretty and yellow.  

Interesting color...

Tomato plant

Golden Barrel...I'll call him Spike!  :D

Maddy says this color is from sun stress.  I'm sorry flapjack but I like this color on you.

So pretty!

More purple!

Such delicate purple beauty next to this formidable thorny guy.

I really like how Maddy creates zones for her plants.

Table o'succulents

This delicate orange flower brings me joy.

One of my favorite collections in one pot.

I absolutely LOVE the color and beauty of this one.

From under the leaf of a pitcher plant..

This little baby is so tiny compared to the rest of it's pot mates.

Beaver Tail Prickly Pear..so cool!

This is an interesting growth.

Tiger Jaw

Fire Sticks

Wish I could find an earlier pic of this one...

Oh wait...I found it. Taken in March after the rain.  What a difference.

Hen and Chicks...the cobweb version

Milkweed.  I like the leaves on this one.

I like the two different greens in this pic.  

Butterfly bush

Plumeria

Triangles of beauty.  I feel like these last forever. They may fade but they don't fall apart.  I've had some that Maddy put in a vase on my desk for over a year and they're still holding their shape. 

Here they are. I think these were a lighter version...a lavender instead of fuschia.

Danger zone...beware the poke-ys.  hah

And here you have all the beauty that struck me on that one particular day.  Each day brings new wonder.  I don't often take the time to "stop and smell the roses", but when I do, I'm amazed at God's handiwork.  I'm so thankful that I have a daughter that is such a hard worker.  She definitely has a green thumb and she has my heart..forever!  <3